Bucs Make A Trade For Pats’ Logan Mankins

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 20: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots against the New York Jets at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 20: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots against the New York Jets at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

TAMPA, FL (98.7 The Fan) – NFL insider Jay Glazer was the first to report that the Bucs had made a move to bolster their offensive line.

Breaking: the Patriots have agreed to parameters of a trade to send Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to the Bucs for a pick and TE Tim Wright

The Buccaneers were thin at the guard position since Carl Nicks and the team parted ways due to a severe toe injury. According to general manager Jason Licht, they were looking to upgrade since the beginning of camp.

“It’s been something that we’ve been talking about since I guess the first week of camp,” Licht said addressing the media about the trade. “It kind of came to fruition today.”

Logan Mankins, 32, is a six-time Pro Bowler and has five All-Pro selections with the Patriots. Jason Licht knows Mankins from his time as New England’s Personnel Executive from 2009-11. Licht says the Bucs are lucky to have a player and person of Logan’s caliber.

“We feel very fortunate. Logan is a very good player. He’s a first hand witness of what he means to the locker room as well,” Licht goes on. “I was with him for three years, our Director of Player Personnel Jon Robinson has been with him his entire career.”

Licht did not disclose which draft pick the Bucs will ship to New England, but said both Tampa Bay and New England won in the trade.

“We think that Tim is a very good football player, Licht expressed. “We feel that the return that we got on the investment worked in our favor. And they probably feel that they got a pretty good deal too. So I think it worked out on both ends.”

As for what Bucs fans can anticipate from Mankins, Licht says he looks exactly the same the time he saw him up close from 2009-11.

“He’s a good athlete, but he’s very strong, he’s very smart, he’s very tough, he’s a tenacious player, and a quiet kind type of toughness that as a defensive coach or defensive player you don’t like playing against.”

“He brings that to the field, and he brings exceptional leadership off the field.”

Want to know more about the deal? Keep it locked to 98.7 The Fan for the latest info as it becomes available!